Fergie and Andrew's former marital home is property 'project'

February 24, 2009Feb 24, 2009, 11:00 PM GMT

The new owner of Sunninghill Park, the former home of Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York, has, in property speak, a 'project' on his hands.

Despite having purchased the estate two years ago - at a time when it had already been on the market and standing empty for three years - the unknown buyer has not yet invested in its upkeep.

As a result the 660-acre estate, which in addition to 12-bedroom home includes stables, a swimming pool and tennis courts, is looking a shadow of how it did in its Nineties heyday. And is clearly in need of some loving care and attention.

Nicknamed Southyork for the resemblance it bears to the home of the Ewing family in Dallas, the Berkshire property was sold in September 2007 for £15 million, £3 million more than the asking price.

It was newly-built in 1986 as a wedding gift for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson from the Queen.

Sunninghill, pictured before it was sold in 2007, was a gift from the Queen to Prince Andrew and his new bride Sarah Ferguson. It became a family home with the arrival of the couple's daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie

Although it was sold in 2007 to an unknown buyer, these days the estate, dubbed Southyork for its resemblance to the *Dallas* ranch, is looking a shadow of how it did in its Nineties heyday

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